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**Nelz** · March 8, 2013, 09:05 AM

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Wallabymum;1474582 wrote: WIthout reading through all posts, I will state my feelings about alcohol, if it has already been said, forgive me....I am just looking for a way to stop.
I am semi retired and live alone. I don't socialise a lot, but when I do I don't drink a lot, just a couple of drinks all night.
First...and I am sure there will lots of laughter here, I dont think I am an alcholic. I don't drink because I am sad or stressed or trying to forget. I drink because I like it. I drink brandy and mineral water, I just drink too much of it. I don't have any warnings that I have drunk too much, most nights I just to go bed at my usual time, the next daysometimes I dont remember what I was watching on tv, but I was savvy enough to record the programme before I went to bed.
I don't want to stop because I enjoy the drink. If I dont drink with my dinner when I come home from work, I probably wouldn't drink at all...It is the drink with dinner that I can't get out of the habit of.
I need to stop because it isn't good for me and I feel healthier without it.
I never get hangovers.
I have just read one posting about Alans Carr's book that I shall buy.
Are there any other methods that anyone will share with me. Any advice and tips will be appreciated.:thanks:

For the most part I never drank because I was mad or down either, to be honest, I just really liked being drunk. I also did not want to stop because I enjoyed the taste.....but I wont drink alcohol ever again.

There will be a ton of tips and advice forthcoming, the only tip I can really offer, is, when you are READY, and I mean READY to stop, you will. Until that time there is probably nothing that will stand between you and AL, and you will be able to justify it in a thousand different ways.

**nonamegirl** · March 8, 2013, 09:19 AM

Very new and needing help

Hi, Wallabymum

You have definitely come to the right place. So many of us have gone through what you are going through. I also thought I wasn't drinking too much, but then wouldn't remember the TV programs... and I drank because I loved the feeling, the first sip knowing that "Okay, now it's time to relax and chill." But then, once I took that first drink, someone else was in control (the ones here who know will tell us it was AL) . And all of a sudden, even when I had planned on only having one drink, I had had three, was lying to my husband and hiding how much I had had. I did not like the person I became once I had that first drink. AND LET ME STATE IT CLEARLY, I HATE THE FACT THAT I CAN'T DRINK! But I know now that I can't.

I loved reading and rereading Roberta Jewell's book "My Way Out" and I recommend that one to you. And keep coming back here often. You are among friends, and we DO know what you are going through.:welcome:

**Wallabymum** · March 8, 2013, 10:24 AM

Very new and needing help

Nelz;1474584 wrote: For the most part I never drank because I was mad or down either, to be honest, I just really liked being drunk. I also did not want to stop because I enjoyed the taste.....but I wont drink alcohol ever again.

There will be a ton of tips and advice forthcoming, the only tip I can really offer, is, when you are READY, and I mean READY to stop, you will. Until that time there is probably nothing that will stand between you and AL, and you will be able to justify it in a thousand different ways.

===
Thank you, I look forward to reading advice. I too like the taste, I always have. At Christmas I bought a bottle of gin to have a Christmas drink. At family dinner we shared wine. It took 6months for me to get through the bottle of gin. Occasionally I would have a wine with a meal, usually on the weekend when I wasn't working. At the latter end of 2010 I got into the habit of drinking wine everyday with my meal and finishing of the bottle. I stopped the wine a year ago, and just before Christmas 2012 I rediscovered brandy, and I have that with my dinner, even though, most times I don't want it. I enjoyed the times when I would think.."I could enjoy a drink just now" but now I dont need that thought anymore, I just pour out a drink as soon as dinner is in front of me. I want my control back:-)

**Wallabymum** · March 8, 2013, 10:32 AM

Very new and needing help

to nonamegirl

Thank you...I hope I am responding to postings correctly, I shall get used to the layout, I hope.
I shall get the book and read it. A comment was by someone saying that they liked getting drunk, I HATE it so much. I tell people that I like alcohol but I don't like what it does to me...I have always been a sensible drinker, but the past two years I drink it like it is water...it is stupid. I wish I could go back to my weekend drink with dinner and not get greedy with it:-)

**paulywogg** · March 8, 2013, 10:44 AM

Very new and needing help

welcome wallabymum(cute name) i too drank out of habit,sometimes ill open a beer,take a sip and wonder why its even there? however like nelz said i did like getting drunk,the release escape,whatevs.now im at a point its just not very fun anymore,its like eating alot but not getting full,pointless really,glad youre here

**Wallabymum** · March 9, 2013, 02:50 AM

Very new and needing help

Hi Paulywogg, I got to that name after trying many others that were already taken:-)
I don't drink to escape anything, it just annoys me that I like the stuff and drink too much. I wish someone could make a drink that is non alcoholic and tastes like brandy....oh perfect world:-)
After posting last night, today I feel in control, that I am not going down a deep dark spiral. Probably because I find there are others like me who can give advice and support. I am so glad I found this site.

**Wallabymum** · March 9, 2013, 02:56 AM

Very new and needing help

Another strange thing that I forgot to mention. A couple of weeks ago I made an effort and didn't have any brandy, for four days. What I noticed later in the evenings that I wanted something sweet to eat. I DONT have a sweet tooth, haven't had for 40 years. Not a chocolate fan, don't eat desserts, love my garden salads and vegies. But those four nights I was wanting sweet stuff. Has anyone else experienced this?

**myhappyplace** · March 9, 2013, 06:10 AM

Very new and needing help

Wallabymum;1474954 wrote: Another strange thing that I forgot to mention. A couple of weeks ago I made an effort and didn't have any brandy, for four days. What I noticed later in the evenings that I wanted something sweet to eat. I DONT have a sweet tooth, haven't had for 40 years. Not a chocolate fan, don't eat desserts, love my garden salads and vegies. But those four nights I was wanting sweet stuff. Has anyone else experienced this?

Hi Wallabymum. Absolutely on the sugar cravings...there's a lot of information on this in the Holistics threads if you want to look around there or just google search.

Also if you're looking to chat with other Aussies theres a thread in General Discussions where we get together a bit. Look for the Underoos...

All the best in your journey to wellness.

**Siren136** · March 9, 2013, 07:38 AM

Very new and needing help

Wallabymum;1474953 wrote: Hi Paulywogg, I got to that name after trying many others that were already taken:-)
I don't drink to escape anything, it just annoys me that I like the stuff and drink too much. I wish someone could make a drink that is non alcoholic and tastes like brandy....oh perfect world:-)
After posting last night, today I feel in control, that I am not going down a deep dark spiral. Probably because I find there are others like me who can give advice and support. I am so glad I found this site.

Hi Wallabymum! :welcome:

I could have written the above. I like of the taste of my wine of choice and wish it had no alcohol so I could drink it all the time. I drink out of habit and that habit is hard to break. I need to physically take myself out of the situation and do something else. I, too, would start drinking at dinner and then continue while watching TV in the living room. Now I go do something else after dinner. Maybe you could try a change of scenery while you eat? Move to a different room or even switch seats - anything to re-train your brain that dinner time doesn't mean drink time.

One of my reasons for wanting to quit is that I hate that anything has this much control of my life.

**paulywogg** · March 9, 2013, 09:01 AM

Very new and needing help

yeah sugar! the more decadant the dessert the better in my case,a brownie sundae with lots of nuts,they say eating sugar is a bad thing though,but id rather that than drink

**Wallabymum** · March 18, 2013, 12:41 AM

Very new and needing help

Hi Siren 136, with your post I am reading my words. On my day off work I could have bought a bottle in readiness for my dinner, but I didn't. As I was starting to prepare my meal I would think " Oh, I shall nip down and get a bottle". Why didn't I just buy a dozen bottles at the weekend as save myself the trip? I have sat in a different room to eat, I have sat outside in the rain. And it is such a dreadful habit to break. I don't think stopping smoking was this hard. I even buy frozen meals so I don't have to prepare the meal. If I have the strength not to pour out a drink with my dinner, then I wont bother drinking. I remember the wonderful days when I drank water with my meals...I want them back. This week is going to be the mega effort, like you I hate having something that controls me

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